White-faced Heron

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White-faced Heron
White-faced Heron
White-faced Heron
White-faced Heron
White-faced Heron

White-faced Heron

Egretta novaehollandiae


Breeding season mainly October to December. May breed outside this season in response to rainfall. Both sexes share incubation of eggs and care of young. Builds nest in tall trees. Female lays 3 to 5 pale blue eggs. Incubation period 21-24 days. Young fly 40-45 days. Normally nomadic.


Details Description
Type
Bird
Group
Heron
Identifying Characteristics

Light blue-grey with a white face. Adults have long, yellow legs. Juveniles have long, greenish-yellow legs and less white on the face. Small heron 650-680 mm.

Distinctive Markings

Rufous grey plumes on lower neck and upper breast with a characteristic white face.

Diet

Carnivore. Small, aquatic creatures including fish, insects and amphibians.

Habitat

Sea coasts, marshes, lakes, flooded fields. Lowlands to 1500 m.

Native Status
Native to Australia
Sounds
Harsh croak or gobble. "Urrrk, urrrk - urrk". "Arrgh arrrgh, arrrgh graaow".
Taxonomy
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Ciconiiformes
Family
Ardeidae
Genus
Egretta
Species
novaehollandiae
White-faced Heron
Found throughout mainland Australia and Tasmania, as well as many coastal islands. Also found in New Guinea, New Caledonia and New Zealand.

Distribution maps indicate current and historic locations where species have been sighted.

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Conservation Status
DEPI Advisory List
Not listed
FFG Act
Not listed
EPBC Act
Not listed

The conservation status of species is listed within Victoria and Australia.

The Department of Environment and Primary Industry (DEPI) Advisory List consists of non-statutory advisory lists of rare or threatened flora and fauna within Victoria.

The Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act) lists threatened species in Victoria. Under the Act, an Action Statement is produced for each listed species.

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is the Australian Government’s key piece of environmental legislation, listing nationally threatened native species and ecological communities.

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